Regulator



Jan. 19, 1932. H. B. MoRRl-LL 1,841,665

REGULATOR Filed March 14, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented dan. 19, 1932 rArENr osier.

REGULATOR Application mea March 14, 1930. serial No. 435,739.

This invention relates to means for controlling the flow of fluids and more particularly to means for moving ya valve between predetermined and variable limits, as for example for draft regulation or to 4lmaintain a predetermined pressure in a steam supply system.

In accordance with the present invention I provide means for varying the travel of the valve; means capable of effecting such variations when the valve is caused to move between diierent selected pairs of limiting points; means Jfor operating a valve at various rates of motion between various selected limits; means for eecting such control automatically; and to this end provide apparatus having an improved construction and arrangement of parts.

In the drawings: Figs. 1 and 2 are elevational views (partly in section) of pressure control apparatus showing'the various parts of the apparatu in dilerent relative positions;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3of Fig. 2; and A F 4.is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2. For the purposes of illustration the features of this invention have been illustrated as embodiedin apparatus of the type disclosed in my prior Patents No. 1,604,530 YissuedOctober- 26, 1926, and No. 1,668,655 issued May 8, 1928. This apparatus is adapted to control the valve 10 which is interposed in the line11 and is actuated by a weighted lever 12 connectedto the valve stem.13 and pivotally connected to a link 14 which is pivoted on the body of the valve. A liexible element, such` as the cord 16,y is secured to thetree end of the lever 12 and passes over 4G guide pulleys 17 to the free end. of a lever 18 which is pivoted at 19 on the frame 21. It will be apparent that by lowering the link 18V from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the r position shown in Fig. 2 the valve will be moved from closed to full open position, las shown in Fig. 2.

, The apparatus for effecting this movement comprises a fluid motor such as the power cylinder 22 in which ak Ypiston (not shown) moves the piston rod'23 between its upper position, as shown in Fig. 1 and its lower position as shown in Fig. 2. A link 24 is pivotally connected to the upper end of the piston rod and also to the end of a rocker 26 which vis pivotally mounted on the frame 21. A lever or rocker 27 is mounted on a pivot 28 on the frame 21. This rocker has a curved arm 29l in the form of a segment provided with an arcuate slot 31 which slidably receives a pivot block 32, the latter being slidable in the slot 31 from one end of the arm 29 to the other. The arm 29 is preferably inthe form of a sector having an open frame 33 which is pivotally connected to the link 24 by means of a pivot 34. A link 36 is pivotally connected at one end to the lever 18 intermediate the ends of the latter, and at itsother end to the pivot block 32, and these parts are preferably so arranged that whenVV the piston rod 23 is in its uppermost position, as shown in Fig. 1, the link 24 will hold the sector 29 in such a position that the arcuate slot 31 therein will be concentric about the point of oonnection of the link 36 and the lever 18. This arrangement assures that whenever the piston is at the top of the cylinder, as shown in Fig. 1, the link 36 will always hold the lever in the position fully to close the valve 10. By an alternative arrangement not here illustrated the opposite result could be effected, for example by so arranging the parts that when the piston rod is in its lowermost position, the slot 31 will be concentric about the point of connection of the link 36 and the lever 18. As thus modified, the valve would always occupy its fully open position whenever the piston rod 23 was at the lower limit of its travel.

lith either arrangement, movement of the pivot 32 lengthwise of the arm 29 varies the effective length or leverage of this arm so as to vary the extent of movement of the valve 10 in response to full travel yof the piston in the power cylinder 22.

The fluid motor 22 is controlled automatically in response to pressure in the line 11 by means of theconnection 37 between the line 11 and the chamber 38, one side of which'is closed by a diaphragm 39. An abutment member or movable support 41 is mounted upon this diaphragm and engages a lever 42 which is fulcrumed at 43 on the main frame 21 and carries at its tree end a suitable weight 44. It will be understood that as pressure in the chamber 38 increases, the abutment 41 will be forced upwardly to raise the lever 42 about its tulcrum, and conversely on a decrease in pressure the support 41 will be lowered and the weight 44 will be effective in lowering the lever 42. In this way a valve rod 46, which is pivotally connected to the lever 42, is moved a suliicient distance to control valve mechanism 47 for the iiuid motor 22.

In order to prevent overtravel of the parts and to provide more gradually for retarding the motion oi the operating parts, a compensating device 48 is disposed between the lever 42 and the arm 29. This device comprises a spring 49 connected to the lever 42 and to an arm 51 fixed on a pin 52 which is mounted to pivot in the bracket 53. The arm 54 is fixed on the pin 52 and pivotally connected by means of the rod 56 with a lug 57 formed on the rocker 27. In the operation of the compensating device downward movement of the piston rod 23 corresponding to upward movement of the lever 42 causes the end of the arm 57 to rise, thus pulling up on the rod 56 and tensioning` the spring 49. This i increases the resistance to upward movement of the lever' 42 so that subsequent increments in pressure in the chamber 38 are opposed by progressively greater resistances acting upon the lever 42. The operation is thus gradually a slowed down so that the controlled part is not moved to an excessive extent. This compensating arrangement is particularly desirable when the controlled part is a flue damper, whose action on the boiler pressure is apparent only after a considerable interval of time. In other cases, where a quicker response occurs, the spring 49 may be made weaker, or if desired the compensating device may be omitted.

The rocker 27 is provided with an arm 58 to which a link 59 is pivotally connected. Another link 61 is pivotally connected to the pivot 32 which operates in the arcuate slot 31 and the link 59 is pivoted to the link 61 intermediate the ends of the latter. The link 61 carries at its free end a roller 62 which is disposed in a guideway, as in the slot 63 formed in the yoke 64. At the upper end of the yoke a pin 66 projects from the under side thereof and is adjustably received in a slot 67 formed in the :trame 21. The end of the pin 66 is threaded to receive a nut 68 for locking this end of the yoke in different adjusted positions in the slot 67 which is preferably arcuate as shown. The lower end of theyoke slidably received in a clamping member 69. this member preferably being in the form of a block having undercut grooves 71 which receive the yoke. A stud 72 is aflixed to the block and is adjustably disposed in a slot 73 formed in the frame 21. A nut 74 is threaded on the end of this stud and serves to hold the block 69 in selected positions longitudinally of the slot as well as in different angular positions.

In the operation of the apparatus with the yoke 64 adjusted to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the arm 58 of the rocker 27 together with the link 59 will be effective to hold the roller 62 at the lower end of the slot when the piston rod 23 is at the upper limit of its travel, as shown in Fig. 1. At this time the link 61 will hold the pivot 32 very close to the .axis about which the rocker 27 is pivoted, but as previously explained the arcuate slot 31 is so formed that the valve 10 will always close whatever the position of the pivot 32 in the slot 31. As the parts move to the position shown in Fig. 2 it will be seen that the link 59 has pulled the link 61 upwardly and due to the inclined` position of the yoke 64 this movement b as resulted in forcing the pivot block 32 to the outer end of the slot 3l, thereby giving the valve its maximum travel and at the same time accelerating the movement ot the valve due to increasing progressively the effective leverage of the arm 29. It will be seen that on the return stroke of the piston rod 23 to the position shown in Fig. 1 the various parts will again arrange themselves in the positions shown in that figure, and the valve will again be closed.

It will be observed that with the yoke set at the angle shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the valve will open rather slowly and its movement will be accelerated as the opening movement progresses and conversely the movement will be retarded as the closing movement of the valve progresses. By changing the position of the yoke 64 so that it is disposed at different angles in the slots 73 and 67, it is possible to obtain intermediate regulation of the valve 10. For example the yoke may be inclined in a position substantially opposite to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in which case the valve 10 might be operated from closed to approximately three-quarters open position, and in this case the valve would open and close rapidly, the remainder of the movement being slower. It will be obvious that by taking various other positions any desired movements of the valve 10 may be obtained.

lVhile the slot 63 in the yoke 64 has been shown as a straight slot, it will also be apparent that this may be a curved slot should this be desired' and furthermore the slots 67 and 73 in which the yoke is mounted may also be of different shapes than the ones shown, and may be extended to provide for greater movement of the. yoke 64.

The term valve is used in this specifican tion and in the appended claims in the broad sense and is intended to include dampers as well as steam or water valves and in general any means for controlling the flow of Huid,

liquid, a gas or ygaseous meating parts including a link member, means connecting one end of the link member to the lever, and mea-ns automatically operative in response to swinging movement of the lever for moving said connecting means lengthwise of the lever.

2. Valve regulating apparatus comprising power operated means for moving the valve between predetermined limits, said means comprising an actuating lever carrying a block adjustable toward and from the fulcrum of the lever and a valve operating link attached to the block, and automatic means for shifting the block lengthwise of the lever during the progressive movement of the valve between said limits.

8. Means for controlling the flow of iiuid comprising a lever, means for oscillating the lever, a pivot block slidable lengthwise of the lever, means connected to the pivot block for operating a valve, and means effective during movement of the lever for moving the pivot block lengthwise thereof for varying the effective length of the lever.

4. Means for controlling the flow of fiuid comprising a lever fulcrumed intermediate its ends, a member slidable between one end of the lever and the fulcrum point thereof, means connected to the slidable member for operating a valve, and means connected to the other end of the lever and effective dur ing movement of the lever for moving the slidable member lengthwise thereof to vary the effective lengthof the lever.

5. Means for controlling the flow of fluid comprising a rocker, means for supporting the rocker for oscillatory movement, a pivot block slidable lengthwise of one arm of the rocker, means connected to the pivot block for operating a valve, a link connected to the pivot block, means effective during movement of the rocker fo-r guiding the link to move the pivot block lengthwise of the rocker, and means connected to the other arm of the rocker for moving the link.

6. Means for controlling the iiow of fluid comprising a. rocker, means for supporting the rocker for oscillatory movement, a pivot block slidable lengthwise of one arm of the rocker, means connected to the pivot block for operating a valve, a link connected to the pivot block, another link connected to the other arm of the rocker and to the firstnamed link for moving the latter, and means for guiding one of the links to cause the first-named link to move lthe pivot block lengthwise of the rocker during movement thereof.

7 Means for controlling the fiow of fluid comprising a rocker, means for supporting the rocker for oscillatory movement, a pivot block slidable lengthwise of one arm of the rocker, means connected to the pivot block for operating a valve, a link connected to the pivot block, another link connected to the other arm of the rocker and to the firstnamed link intermediate the ends thereof, and means for guiding the free end of the first-named link to force the latter to move' the pivot block lengthwise of the rocker during movement thereof.

8. Means for controlling the flow of fluid comprising a rocker, means for supporting the rocker for oscillatory movement, a pivot block slidable lengthwise of one arm of the rocker, means connected to the pivotJ block for operating a valve, a pair of links pivotally connected together, one of the links being pivotally connected to the pivot block and the other link being pivotally connected to thel other arm of the rocker, a yoke for guiding the links, andy means for holding the yoke in di'erent positions.

9. Means for controlling the flow of 'inid comprising a rocker, means for supporting the rocker for oscillatory movement, a pivot block slidable lengthwise of one arm of the rocker, means connected to the pivot block for operating a. valve, a pair of links pivotally connected together, one ofk t-he links being pivotally connected to the pivot block and the other link being pivotally connected to the other arm of the rocker, a yoke for guiding the links, and a follower on the free end of said one of the links and disposed in said yoke.

`l0. Means for controlling the flow of fluid comprising a rocker, means for supporting the rocker for oscillatory movement, a. pivot block slidable lengthwise of one arm of the rocker, means connected to the pivot block for operating a valve, a pair of links pivotally connected together, one of the links be ing pivotally connected to the pivot block and the other link being pivotally connected to the other arm of the rocker, a yoke for guiding the links, and a roller on the free end of said one of the links and disposed in said yoke, and means for holding the yoke in dierent positions comprising a pivotal support for one end of the yoke and means for holding the other end of the yoke in different positions.

l1. Means for controlling Vthe fiow of fluid comprising a rocker, means for supporting the rocker for oscillatory movement, a pivot block slidable lengthwise of one arm of the rocker, means connected to the pivot block for operating a valve, a pair of links pivotally connected together, one of the links being pivotally connected to the pivot block and the other link being pivotally connected to the other arm of the rocker, a yoke for guid- Y ing the links, and a follower on the free end of said one of the links and disposed in said yoke, and means for holding the yoke in differentpositions comprising pivotal supports for the ends of the yoke and means for holding the pivotal supports in different positions.

12. Means for controlling the ovv of fluid comprising a` rocker, means for supporting the rocker for oscillatory movement, a pivot block slidable lengthwise of one arm ot' the rocker, means connected to the pivot block for operating a valve, a pair of links pivotally connected together, one of the links being pivotally connected to the pivot block and the other link being pivotally connected to the other arm of the rocker, a yoke for guiding the links, and a follower on the free end of said one of the links and disposed in said yoke, and means for holding the yoke in diii'erent positions comprising a block slotted slidably to receive the yoke, means for holding the block in different angular positions, and means for holding the yoke from movement relative to the block.

13. Means for controlling the flow of fluid comprising a rocker, means for supporting the rocker for oscillatory movement, a pivot block slidable lengthwise of one arm of the rocker, means connected to the pivot block for operating a valve, a pair oi links pivotally connected together, one of the links being pivotally connected to the pivot block and the other link being pivotally connected to the other arm of the rocker, a yoke for guiding the links, and a follower on the free end of said one ot the links and disposed in said yoke, and means for holding the yoke in different positions comprising a. support member havinga slot therein, a pin on the yoke and disposed in the slot, a pivot member slidably mounted on the yoke, and means for holding the pivot member in dilerent angular positions.

1/1. Means for controlling the flow of fluid comprising a rocker, means 'for supporting the rocker for oscillatory movement, a pivot block slidable lengthwise of one arm of the rocker, means connected to the pivot block for operating a valve, a pair of links pivotally connected together, one of the links being pivotally connected to the pivot block and the other link being pivotally connected to the other arm of the rocker, a yoke for guiding the links, and a roller on the free end of said one ot the links vand disposed in said yoke, and lined and slidable pivots on the yoke, a support member having slots therein slidable to receive the respective pivots, and means for holding the pivots in different positions in the slot.

l5. The combination of a valve, a member for moving the valve between given positions, means for producing in a definite cycle motion of predetermined and sufjeient magnitude to cause the member to actuate the valve between these positions, and means for transmitting motion from the motion producing means to the member at a rate varying relative to the motion of the motion producing means.

16. The combination of a valve, a mechanical leverage for actuating the valve between given positions, means for producing in a definite cycle motion of suiiicient and predetermined magnitude to cause the mechanical leverage to actuate the valve between the given positions, and means effective on movement of the motion producing means for varying the mechanical leverage and thereby causing movement ot the valve to vary relative to motion of the motion producing means.

17. The combination of a valve, a member for actuating the valve between given positions, means for producing motion of suiiicient magnitude for causing the member to actuate the valve between the given positions, and means responsive to movement of the motion producing means for transmitting power therefrom to the member tor actuating the latter and for changing the power ratio as movement of the motion producing means progresses whereby the rate of motion of the valve may be varied relative to the motion of the motion producing means.

Signed by me at Boston, lvlassachusetts, this 12th day ot March, 1930.

HERBERT B. MORRILL. 

